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Drafted: 18th Round, 2006 (Carmichael, CA) Height: 6′4″ Weight: 215 lbs Born: September 25, 1987 Anderson was scheduled to attend college and play ball at U-Cal, Berkeley after starring for TEAM USA during the 2005 PanAm Championships and leading California high schoolers in home runs in 2006. While he had the talent to be a first round or first round supplemental pick in the ‘06 draft, the commitment to Berkeley caused many teams to shy ...

The Phillies made a valiant attempt to defend their championship last season, but came up shy as they eventually fell to the Yankees in the World Series. Nonetheless, the loss to the Bronx Bombers should not diminish the club’s accomplishments during the season—an NL East title (with a 93-69 record) and a second straight National League pennant. General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. went into the offseason hoping to build a team ...

The Atlanta Braves posted a record of 86-76 last season, an improvement of 14 games over their 72-90 mark of 2008. The ballclub made several changes this winter and heading into the new season, it appears that it may have to take a step back before it can take a step forward. The biggest holes to fill will be the departure of RHP Javier Vazquez from the starting rotation and closer Rafael ...

The Marlins went 87-75 last season and finished in second place in the National League East. Looking forward to the new season, it is difficult to envision how they will be able to repeat last year’s record unless EVERYTHING goes right. They lost one-time closer Matt Lindstrom and setup man Kiko Calero, as well as 1B Nick Johnson. The pitchers were replaced by Mike MacDougal and Derrick Turnbow - a ...

Just five days before Opening Night against the NY Yankees, ESPN.com reporter Buster Olney reports that contract negotiations between the Red Sox and RHP Josh Beckett have progressed to the point that there is optimism a deal will be finalized in the next week or two. Olney cites sources close to Beckett as saying the right-hander has a four-year, guaranteed offer on the table from the team. While the source didn’t ...

After a middling 2008 season (86-76, fourth place), the Cardinals rebounded nicely in 2009 to win the NL Central with a 91-71 record, thanks in large part to the mid-season acquisition of LF Matt Holliday. While the Redbirds managed to re-sign Holliday this off-season, the club lost several other of its key contributors this winter. Whether the team will be able to compete with the Philliles for the pennant will be ...

The 2008 edition of the Chicago Cubs had the best record in the National League (97-64) and should have repeated last season, but injuries, career-worst performances, and the plague that is known as Milton Bradley created a second-place ballclub. The offense scuffled, Carlos Zambrano typically underperformed, and the bullpen was abysmal. All of these factors led to a very pedestrian 83-78 record and a second place finish. The Cubbies should be ...

The glass slipper slipped off the Brewers foot last year as the club came crashing back to Earth after a Cinderella run in 2008. Of course, after the free agent departures of longtime ace Ben Sheets and half-season workhorse Carlston Charles Sabathia, the slide wasn’t all together unexpected. The Brew Crew finished the year with a record of 80-82, good for third place in the NL Central. The club has added ...

The Cincinnati Reds finished the 2009 season in fourth place with a 78-84 record. As the club enters the 2010 season, there finally appears to be some honest-to-goodness hope that better days may lie ahead. They could finish as high as second place—IF everything goes right—but I think they’d need to be completely healthy to do so, and with Edinson Volquez unavailable until at least August they’re starting the ...

Last season, the Pittsburgh Pirates went 62-99, turning in their 18th consecutive losing season and, in the process, establishing the longest stretch of futility in MLB history. The ‘09 edition of the Pirates took a step backwards in order to start taking steps forward, and while I don’t expect MUCH in the way of improvement, I do expect SOME improvement as they begin the long road back towards respectability. The task ...